Tag: pilgrims

*Disclaimer: Do not be mislead or offended by the title of this post as the term “Indian” is not meant to be taken literally. Being of Native American decent I find the term “Indian” when used in reference to the Native American people to be derogatory and politically incorrect. We all know Columbus sailed the Seven Seas and beieved he was in India hence calling he NATIVES already inhabiting the “NEW AMERICA” Indians.*

The month of November is famously known as the month of Thanksgiving. A time where historically we celebrate the pilgrims breaking bread with the Native Americans in 1621 after “discovery” ( I use the term loosely because discovering something someone already owns and calling it your own is not a discovery it is theft) of the “New World” by Christopher Columbus. (Quick history recap) It has become a time of refelction for many, a time in which we speak of all the things we are thankful for. Is it not a fair assumption to say that we have much to be thankful for every month, not just during the month of November?

I remember when I was in grade school and every year having to write the infamous “I am thankful for” statement. It was always, “I am thankful for my mommy because she buys me whatever I want and she loves me.” or ” I am thankful for the food we will recieve on Thanksgiving because everybody doesn’t have food to eat.” Adulthood has changed my “I am thankful for” but none the less I am beyond thankful, not just during the month of Novemeber but everyday. These past three months for my family and I have been no walk in the park, but I never stopped being thankful and grateful for the mercy and grace I have been shown. I am thankful for a healthy mind, body and spirit. I recently began work on a project that I’d been putting off for sometime because of impact I believed it would have on me mentally. I had the opportunity to sit down with people who were less fortunate (in the eyes of those who consider themselves to be fortuate), it was during those interviews that I realized just how blessed I truly am. There are times when I focus on the things I do not have when I should be thankful for the things I do have, because nothing is promised forever. I sat with a woman who despite her circumstances wore a smile that even a person with millions rarely wears and she had little to nothing. It was her story (which will be shared with readers at a later date) that humbled me beyond all imagination. I am thankful for that chance meeting.